Clay mineral in sediment of Qinghai Lake

Size distribution in sediments of Qinghai Lake (China) is mainly silt grade, being finer in lake sediment, and coarser in lake bank sediment. Clay minerals are mainly illite and chlorite, with little montmorillonite and trace kaolinite, however montmonillonite is not observed in ground sediment. The chemical composition of clay in Qinghai Lake is similar to that for sea clay. The data of clay are useful for studying the sedimentary environment and condition, in particular Al sub(2)O sub(3)/M sub(g)O ratio in clay.